The artist's assistant, Sergey Shagulashvili, told Interfax: "Yes, it happened today at half past two."

He added that the decision regarding the farewell and funeral will be made later.

Zurab Cereteli is a famous Soviet and Russian artist, sculptor, and architect who became famous for his large-scale monumental works.

The monument to Peter I, erected in Moscow on the Moskva River, brought him the greatest fame. This is one of the tallest sculptures in Russia - about 98 meters. The monument caused a wave of criticism due to its appearance and scale, but became one of the most recognizable landmarks of the capital.

Cereteli also became the author of the "Tears of Sorrow" monument erected in the USA in Beyonne, New Jersey. This monument was donated to America in memory of the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The sculpture represents a huge stele with a slit, in which a metal teardrop is suspended.